Goldstein's unique lobbying weapons arrived moments after the Florida House unanimously approved HB 1319, which boosts spending to train swimming instructors who focus on people with development disabilities.

The bill, which also passed the Florida Senate unanimously Friday and was sent to the governor for his signature, gives $535,000 to the Weston-based nonprofit Dan Marino Foundation.

The foundation assists families with children with various special needs, such as autism. The bill calls for the money to be spent on a new swimming pool, to develop training curriculum, and to hire trainers.

Marino and Goldstein, each the parent of a child with autism, told legislators the money will save lives. They said there are more than 7,000 autistic children in Florida. Drowning is the second-leading cause of injury death of infants and children younger than 15 in the United States. They said kids with developmental disabilities are especially prone to drown because many of them lack a fear of water, and because so many of them are not taught basic swimming skills.

"For me, I know there are a lot of families who don't have the same resources that my son, Michael, had. If we can help in any way possible, we try to do that," Marino said later.

Marino did more with legislators Friday than just coax them into passing the legislation.

The former NFL star, who has the record for the most career touchdown passes, also displayed his throwing prowess on the House floor.

Marino whipped a hands-stinging, 10-yard pass over the center aisle of the House chamber to Speaker-designate Marco Rubio, a former high school and football cornerback and wide receiver who played at South Miami High School and Tarkio College (in Missouri) before he transferred to the University of Florida.

Rubio made the catch, slightly bobbling it, but making the chest-high grab.

"Representative Rubio's fingers are broken," joked House Speaker Allan Bense, R-Panama City. " ... That was a great catch."

Mark Hollis can be reached at mhollis@sun-sentinel.com or 850-224-6214.